MEET rugby league's self-confessed lab rat and proud NRL guinea pig.

More accustomed to breaking records with his boot for Cronulla, goal-kicking winger Luke Covell is about to change the face of rugby league forever.

The first NRL player in history to undergo the same radical knee surgery that salvaged Swans player Nick Malceski's career, Covell is just weeks away from a remarkable comeback.

Off-contract at the Sharks, Covell ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in round four against Parramatta.

Like most athletes, the diagnosis left Covell immediately fearing a 12-months stint on the sidelines - and a procedure that would likely end his career.

"But then I remembered I had read something on a type of different surgery that got the Swans player (Malceski) back in three months,'' Covell told The Sunday Telegraph.

Claiming he had nothing to lose, Covell urged Sharks physiotherapist Konrad Shultz to investigate the revolutionary ligament augmentation and reconstructive system operation (LARS).

The procedure involves two industrial-strength synthetic fibres, similar to shoe laces, being inserted into his knee to act as his ACL ligament.

And the results have been stunning.

The 28-year-old father of two was walking freely within 48 hours of surgery.

He began running two weeks ago.

Proof: Covell back in training.

He can hop one-legged without pain and on Thursday, he cycled 30km on a road bike.

But despite not wanting to get ahead of himself, Covell has highlighted on his calendar a return date of four weeks - a comeback that would better Malceski's effort of three months.

One of the most respected figures at the Cronulla club, Covell explained the reason behind his unique battle to get back on the paddock.

"I was the one who brought it up with the physio because we were talking about getting a normal reco and just being really aggressive with it to come back before the end of the year,'' Covell said.

"Even if it was for one game I didn't care.

"I said to Sticky (coach Ricky Stuart) that I don't care if I have to come back and play reserve grade as long as I finish on my own terms - if my career is to come to an end.''

Third only to club legend Steve Rogers and Mat Rogers for the most points scored at Cronulla, Covell has achieved great success in his six seasons in the Shire.

But no sideline conversion could equal such a rare feat as this rugby league first.

"I've said all along that I was the guinea pig or the lab rat,'' Covell said.

"It doesn't worry me, I knew I was going to be a good case for it because I do all my rehab and I look after myself.

"Now, I just can't wait to get back out there.''